Apparatus for Use with a Helmet to Mitigate Condensation of Breath on a Visor

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use with a helmet having a visor portion comprises a mouth piece portion being configured to be retainable in a mouth of a user. The mouth piece is further configured to be operable for passing a breath of the user. A telescoping duct portion is joined to the mouth piece portion. The duct portion is configured to be operable for passing the breath. A tubular portion is joined to the duct portion. The tubular portion is configured to be operable for passing the breath from the duct portion to an exterior of the helmet to mitigate condensation of the breath on an interior surface of the visor portion.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office,patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to headgear.More particularly, one or more embodiments of the invention relate toreleasing vapor from headgear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thata helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head for protectionfrom injuries. Helmets attempt to protect the user's head by absorbingmechanical energy and protecting against penetration. Helmets are oftenworn while riding motorcycles or high speed vehicles. Helmets ofteninclude visors for providing vision and protecting a rider's eyes.

Typically, a vapor is a substance in the gas phase at a temperaturelower than its critical point. Vapor can build up inside the helmet whenthe rider is breathing.

Condensation is the change of the vapor to a liquid. One can expect thatthe vapor converts to condensation when the outside of the helmet iscooler than the inside of the helmet.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary headgearvapor exhaust assembly positioned inside an exemplary headgear, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplarymouthpiece portion joined with an exemplary telescoping duct, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary headgearvapor exhaust assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are best understood by reference tothe detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations ofthe invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit withinthe scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read asplural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will now be described in detail with reference to embodimentsthereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of theinvention so described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated useof the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” donot necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may be configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and inaccordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of theforegoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed andadditional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of theparticular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of theforegoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/orhardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know issuitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method stepsdescribed in the present application that can be carried out on acomputing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriatelyconfigured or designed, serve as a computer system in which thoseaspects of the invention may be embodied. Thus, the present invention isnot limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of headgear vapor exhaust assemblies that may beprovided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly100 may transmit vapors from the interior portion of a headgear to anexterior portion of the headgear. In this manner, the vapors might notobstruct the view through a headgear visor portion, or cause discomfortto a user. In one embodiment of the present invention, the headgearvapor exhaust assembly may include a mouthpiece portion that isconfigured to be operable to position inside a user's mouth. Themouthpiece portion may be configured to receive vapors and gases fromthe user.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a telescoping duct mayextend from the mouthpiece portion. The telescoping duct may provide atubular extension that carries the vapors outwardly from the mouthpieceportion. The telescoping duct may extend or retract, and include anL-shaped configuration designed to minimize the utilization of spaceinside the headgear. A seal may create an airtight bond between thetelescoping duct and the mouthpiece portion. In some embodiments, afastener may position on the telescoping duct to join the telescopingduct with a headgear chin guard.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a tubular portion may carrythe vapors from the telescoping duct in the inner portion of theheadgear to the exterior portion of the headgear. The tubular portionmay include a proximal end that joins with the telescoping duct. Thetelescoping portion may further include a distal end that extends fromthe headgear and disperses the vapors. In some embodiments, the tubularportion may pass through an aperture positioned in the headgear visorportion. However, in other embodiments, the tubular portion may passthrough an aperture positioned in the headgear chin guard. In someembodiments, at least one tubular fastener may securely join the tubularportion to the headgear. Those skilled in the art, in light of thepresent teachings, will recognize that the headgear may be utilizedwhile riding a motorcycle, whereby securing the tubular portion to theheadgear may enhance the dispersal of the vapors from the distal end.

FIG. 1 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary headgearvapor exhaust assembly positioned inside an exemplary headgear, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the presentembodiment, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly 100 may transmit vaporsfrom the interior portion 116 of the headgear 114 to the exteriorportion 118 of the headgear 114. In this manner, the vapors might notobstruct the view through the headgear visor portion 120, or causediscomfort to a user. Those skilled in the art, in light of the presentteachings, will recognize that a user may exhale warm vapors throughoutthe interior of the headgear while breathing. The warm vapors may buildup and condense within the interior portion of the headgear, especiallywhen the exterior of the headgear is cooler than the interior of theheadgear. Because the warm vapors do not have an exhaust or releasepoint to disperse from the interior portion, the warm vapors mayaccumulate on the visor portion and hinder the user's vision. Theheadgear may include, without limitation, a motorcycle helmet, a racingcar helmet, a crash test helmet, and a contact sport helmet. Suitablematerials for the headgear may include, without limitation, fiberglass,polycarbonate plastic, plastic, silicone, rubber, polyvinyl chloride,wood, and metal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the headgear vapor exhaustassembly may include a mouthpiece portion 102 that is configured to beoperable to position inside a user 128. In some embodiments, themouthpiece portion may position between a set of teeth in the mouth.However, in one alternative embodiment, the mouthpiece may be configuredto be operable to position into any orifice of a body though aperturesin clothing. The mouthpiece portion may join with the telescoping duct104. The telescoping duct may carry the vapors outwardly from themouthpiece portion. The telescoping duct may extend and retract, joiningwith the proximal end 108 of the tubular portion. In some embodiments,at least one duct fastener 134 may be positioned on the telescoping ductto join the telescoping duct with a headgear chin guard.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular portion 106 mayjoin with the telescoping duct to carry the vapors from the telescopingduct in the inner portion of the headgear to the exterior portion of theheadgear. The tubular portion may position from the interior portion ofthe head gear to the distal end 110. The distal end may extend outwardlyto the exterior portion of the headgear. In one embodiment, the distalend may emerge from the aperture 126 in the headgear chin guard 124, orthe headgear visor portion. In some embodiments, at least one tubularfastener 112 may securely join the tubular portion to the headgear.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplarymouthpiece portion joined with an exemplary telescoping duct, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the presentembodiment, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly may include a mouthpieceportion 202 that is configured to be operable to position inside a usermouth. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece portion may be rectangularand curved to fit in the mouth. In some embodiments, the mouthpieceportion may position between a set of teeth in the mouth. The mouthpieceportion may be configured to receive vapors and gases from the user. Themouthpiece portion may include a mouthpiece aperture 203 sized anddimensioned to enable vapor from the user to at least partially enter.In some embodiments, the mouthpiece may be sized and dimensioned toaccommodate different users. Suitable materials for the mouthpieceportion may include, without limitation, plastic, silicone, rubber,polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, wood, and metal. The mouthpieceportion may be sized and dimensioned to allow the user to breathenormally while inhaling gases and exhaling vapors. In yet anotheralternative embodiment, the mouthpiece portion may include variousflavors, including, without limitation, strawberry, banana, chocolate,and cinnamon.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary headgearvapor exhaust assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In the present embodiment, the telescoping duct 304 mayextend from the mouthpiece portion 302. The telescoping duct may providea tubular extension that carries the vapors outwardly from themouthpiece portion 302. In some embodiments, the telescoping duct mayinclude two separate portions. A linear first portion 330 may extend afew inches from the mouthpiece portion, and a second portion 332 mayextend perpendicularly from the first portion. In one embodiment, thesecond portion may extend and retract from the mouthpiece portion. Thetelescoping duct may extend or retract, and include an L-shapedconfiguration designed to minimize the utilization of space inside theheadgear. In one alternative embodiment, a motor may attach to thetelescoping duct to allow the user to remotely operate the extension andretraction of the telescoping duct. A seal may create an airtight bondbetween the telescoping duct and the mouthpiece portion.

In some embodiments, at least one duct fastener 334 may position on thetelescoping duct to join the telescoping duct with a headgear chinguard. However, in other embodiments, the at least one duct fastener maysecure the telescoping duct to any part of the interior portion of theheadgear. Each duct fastener may include without limitation, hook andloop, a magnet, a strap, a button, and an adhesive.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the tubular portion 306 maycarry the vapors from the telescoping duct in the inner portion of theheadgear to the exterior portion of the headgear. The tubular portionmay include the proximal end 308 that joins with the telescoping duct ata port. The telescoping portion may further include the distal end 310that extends from the headgear and disperses the vapors. In someembodiments, the tubular portion may pass through an aperture positionedin the headgear visor portion. However, in other embodiments, thetubular portion may pass through an aperture positioned in the headgearchin guard. In some embodiments, at least one tubular fastener 312 maysecurely join the tubular portion to the headgear. Those skilled in theart, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that the headgearmay be utilized while riding a motorcycle, whereby securing the tubularportion to the headgear enhances the dispersal of the vapors from thedistal end.

The fasteners may extend along a longitudinal axis of the tubularportion to secure the tubular portion to various areas of the headgear.Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, willrecognize that the headgear may be utilized in rigorous activitiesincluding, without limitation, riding a motorcycle, riding a bull,riding a vehicle, and playing a contact sport. The tubular portionfunctions may be enhanced if secured to the headgear. The fasteners mayinclude, without limitation, clips, straps, magnets, and adhesives. Insome embodiments, the fasteners may join to the lower portion of thehelmet shell as shown in FIG. 1.

In one alternative embodiment, the tubular portion may disperse thevapors along the longitudinal axis, and from the distal end. In yetanother alternative embodiment, the headgear vapor exhaust assembly mayinclude a cooling device for cooling the interior portion of theheadgear. In yet another alternative embodiment, the tubular portion mayprovide a dual purpose of dispersing the vapors from the interior of theheadgear, and providing a liquid beverage to the user through themouthpiece portion.

All the features or embodiment components disclosed in thisspecification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, unlessexpressly stated otherwise, may be replaced by alternative features orcomponents serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose as known bythose skilled in the art to achieve the same, equivalent, suitable, orsimilar results by such alternative feature(s) or component(s) providinga similar function by virtue of their having known suitable propertiesfor the intended purpose. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, eachfeature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent,or suitable, or similar features known or knowable to those skilled inthe art without requiring undue experimentation.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a vapor releaseassembly inside enclosed headgear according to the present inventionwill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of theinvention have been described above by way of illustration, and thespecific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the inventionto the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of thevapor release assembly inside enclosed headgear may vary depending uponthe particular context or application. By way of example, and notlimitation, the vapor release assembly inside enclosed headgear,described in the foregoing, were principally directed to a tube thatextends from the mouth of a rider to the outside of a helmetimplementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied tovapor release inside any enclosed area, such as tight clothes, whichimplementations of the present invention are contemplated as within thescope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover allmodifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood thatnot all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification willnecessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, orimprovements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for use with a helmet having a visorportion, the apparatus comprising: a mouth piece portion beingconfigured to be retainable in a mouth of a user, said mouth piece beingfurther configured to be operable for passing a breath of the user; atelescoping duct portion being joined to said mouth piece portion, saidduct portion being configured to be operable for passing the breath; anda tubular portion being joined to said duct portion, said tubularportion being configured to be operable for passing the breath from saidduct portion to an exterior of the helmet to mitigate condensation ofthe breath on an interior surface of the visor portion.
 2. The apparatusas recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one duct fastenerbeing configured to be operable for joining said duct portion to aninterior surface of the helmet.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1,further comprising at least one tubular fastener being configured to beoperable for joining said tubular portion to the helmet.
 4. Theapparatus as recited in claim 1, in which said telescoping duct portioncomprises an L-shape.
 5. The apparatus as recited in claim 4, in whichsaid telescoping duct portion is extensible from said mouth portion. 6.The apparatus as recited in claim 2, in which said duct portion isjoinable to a chin guard.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 3, inwhich said tubular portion is joinable to a lower portion of the helmet.8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising at least oneadditional tubular fastener being configured to be operable for joiningsaid tubular portion to the lower portion of the helmet
 9. The apparatusas recited in claim 1, in which said mouth piece is further configuredto be retainable between the user's teeth.
 10. The apparatus as recitedin claim 1, in which said mouth piece comprises a first portion having agenerally rectangular shape that is curved to fit the user's mouth, anda second portion having a generally rectangular shape that is straightto extend from the user's mouth.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim10, in which said telescoping duct portion comprises a first portionhaving a generally rectangular shape for joining to said second portionof said mouth piece, and a second portion extending downward from saidfirst portion and having a generally rectangular shape, closed bottom,and a port for joining to said tubular portion.
 12. The apparatus asrecited in claim 11, in which said port is disposed proximate saidclosed bottom.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, in which said atleast one duct fastener comprises a hook and loop type fastener.
 14. Theapparatus as recited in claim 8, in which said at least one tubularfastener and said at least one additional tubular fastener compriseclips being configured to join to a bottom edge of the helmet.
 15. Anapparatus for use with a helmet having a visor portion, the apparatuscomprising: means being configured to be retainable in a mouth of a userfor passing a breath of the user; means being joined to said passingmeans for passing the breath downward; and means being joined to saiddownward passing means for passing the breath to an exterior of thehelmet to mitigate condensation of the breath on an interior surface ofthe visor portion.
 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, furthercomprising means being configured to be operable for joining saiddownward passing means to an interior surface of the helmet.
 17. Theapparatus as recited in claim 15, further comprising means beingconfigured to be operable for joining said exterior passing means to thehelmet.
 18. An apparatus for use with a helmet having a visor portion,the apparatus comprising: a mouth piece portion being configured to beretained in a mouth of a user and to be operable for passing a breath ofthe user, said mouth piece comprising a first portion having a generallyrectangular shape that is curved to fit the user's mouth, and a secondportion having a generally rectangular shape that is straight to extendfrom the user's mouth; a telescoping duct portion being joined to saidmouth piece portion, said duct portion being configured to be operablefor passing the breath, said telescoping duct portion comprising anL-shape having a first portion having a generally rectangular shape forjoining to said second portion of said mouth piece, and a second portionextending downward from said first portion and having a generallyrectangular shape, closed bottom, and a port disposed proximate saidclosed bottom; at least one duct fastener being configured to beoperable for joining said second portion of said duct portion to aninterior surface of the helmet proximate a chin guard; a tubular portionbeing joined to said port, said tubular portion being configured to beoperable for passing the breath from said duct portion to an exterior ofthe helmet to mitigate condensation of the breath on an interior surfaceof the visor portion; and a plurality of tubular fasteners beingconfigured to be operable for joining said tubular portion to thehelmet, said plurality of tubular fasteners comprising clips beingconfigured to join to a bottom edge of the helmet.
 19. The apparatus asrecited in claim 18, in which said telescoping duct portion isextensible from said mouth portion.
 20. The apparatus as recited inclaim 18, in which said mouth piece is further configured to be retainedbetween the user's teeth.
 21. The apparatus as recited in claim 18, inwhich said at least one duct fastener comprises a hook and loop typefastener.